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Safety helmets are only required on an as-needed basis, so if a risk assessment does not identify any head injury risks, they need not be worn. However, different construction sites may operate their own rules. If a risk assessment has identified the possibility of head injury, safety helmets are mandatory, regardless of the construction worker&#;s nature or the project&#;s size.
Safety helmets used on UK construction sites must be manufactured to British Standard (BS) EN 397, including rigorous tests for impact resistance and flame retardance. Employees or visitors to a construction site should be provided with a safety helmet by their employer or the main contractor. Still, self-employed workers (including subcontractors) may need to provide their own.
Safety helmets are an important part of protecting your head while working. They can prevent serious injury in a fall or other accident. However, not all safety helmets are created equal. You need to choose the right one for the job you are doing. Here are 10 tips for choosing the right safety helmet!
Different tasks and environments necessitate different types of safety helmets. For instance, full-face helmets protect the entire head and face, ideal for jobs with flying debris or chemicals. On the other hand, half-face helmets may be suitable for jobs that require protection but also need the face unobstructed, such as carpentry. A helmet with a chin strap can prevent the helmet from falling off during high-movement tasks or in windy environments.
Safety helmets must meet certain safety standards to be effective. Ensure the helmet you choose has been tested and certified by a reputable body such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Certification means the helmet has undergone rigorous testing to prove its effectiveness in preventing injuries.
A comfortable helmet is more likely to be worn consistently. Check that the helmet has adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit. It shouldn&#;t be too tight to cause discomfort or too loose to wobble. The interior should also have cushioning for comfort during long periods of wear.
A heavy helmet can cause neck strain during extended use. Opt for a lightweight helmet that doesn&#;t compromise on protection. Lightweight materials such as carbon fiber or lightweight plastics can offer protection while ensuring ease of movement and reducing fatigue.
Working in a helmet can cause your head to become hot and sweaty, which can be extremely uncomfortable. Helmets with proper ventilation through air vents or breathable materials can help reduce heat and increase comfort levels, especially in hot environments.
Additional features like face shields, visors, or earmuffs can be beneficial depending on your work environment. For example, a helmet with a built-in visor can protect the eyes from flying particles, while earmuffs protect against high noise levels in industrial settings.
Safety helmets are made from various materials, such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, or Kevlar. The choice of material will affect the helmet&#;s durability, impact resistance, and weight. For example, Kevlar is known for being incredibly strong and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for high-risk environments.
Evaluate the specific hazards of your workplace. An electrically insulated helmet is vital if you&#;re working near electrical hazards. A helmet with superior impact protection is essential in construction sites where falling objects are a risk. If fire is a hazard, materials with fire-resistant properties should be considered.
Padding in a helmet can offer additional protection against impacts. A helmet with dense, high-quality padding will not only be more comfortable but can also significantly reduce the force of impact on the head in the event of an accident.
A safety helmet&#;s lifespan can be extended with replaceable parts like straps, suspension systems, or padding. This way, instead of replacing the entire helmet when a component wears out, you can simply replace the necessary part, saving money and reducing waste. Additionally, check if the manufacturer provides guidance on how often to replace these parts.
Choosing the right safety helmet is important in keeping you safe while on the job. By following these 10 tips, you should be able to find a helmet that meets your needs and provides optimal protection.
Safety helmets used on UK construction sites must be manufactured to British Standard (BS) EN 397, including rigorous tests for impact resistance and flame retardance.
Yes, safety helmets are mandatory on all construction sites and must be provided by the employer or the main contractor. Self-employed workers may need to provide their own helmets.
You should consider factors such as the style of the helmet, certification, comfort, weight, ventilation, extra features, the material used, the environment you&#;ll be working in, and whether replacement parts are available. You should also check that the helmet meets the requirements of British Standard (BS) EN 397.
Kevlar is a strong synthetic fiber often used to make safety helmets. It is lightweight yet durable, providing extra protection while still being comfortable.
Depending on how often you use it and the environment you work in, your safety helmet should be replaced every three to five years or as soon as noticeable wear and tear is detected.
Safety helmets may have additional features such as visors, emergency straps, and other attachments. Before purchasing a helmet, consider whether these extra features are necessary for your job.
In conclusion, choosing the right safety helmet is a crucial step in ensuring your protection at the workplace. By selecting a helmet style appropriate for your job, ensuring it is certified, focusing on comfort, considering the weight and ventilation, looking for extra features, selecting the right material, considering the work environment, ensuring there is protective padding, and checking for replaceable parts, you can optimize both safety and comfort. Making a well-informed choice will safeguard your well-being and enhance your productivity and efficiency at work.
Unsure what kind of safety helmet you need? What hard hats comply with what standard? Where to start? We want to make sure staying compliant is second nature, especially when it comes to keeping your head safe.
There&#;s a lot to know and a lot to pay attention to when it comes to safety helmets, but don&#;t worry &#; we&#;ve done the research for you. In this blog, we&#;ll dig into OSHA, ANSI, EN, and CSA standards.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates specific requirements for head protection in the workplace and instructs that, regardless of industry, it&#;s the employer&#;s job to ensure their workers wear head protection when exposed to risks/hazards.
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To help employers follow those regulations, OSHA incorporates standards from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which is discussed in the next section.
Here&#;s what you need to know about OSHA&#;s head protection regulations.
Safety helmet standards: OSHA has two standards that regulate safety helmet requirements:
Safety helmet requirements: Both standards require workers to wear safety helmets if they are at risk of being struck by falling objects, bumping their heads on fixed objects, or coming in contact with electrical hazards.
OSHA requires selection criteria for head protection that must comply with ANSI/ISEA Z89.1. Simply put &#; a helmet that meets ANSI Z89.1 is OSHA compliant.
ANSI helps employers follow OSHA regulations. The performance criteria for head protection are provided in ANSI Z89.1 American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection, incorporated in OSHA&#;s 29 CFR .135 and by reference in 29 CFR .6.
ANSI Z89.1 requires four performance tests that must be met in order to assign a safety helmet type and class, which are:
Safety helmet types: There are two types of protective safety helmets under this classification system that refer to impact/penetration protection:
Safety helmet classes: To improve comprehension and usefulness, there are electrical-protective classifications for helmets as follows:
Operating temperature range:
Additionally, all safety helmets must feature a hard-outer shell and a lining that absorbs shock and incorporates a headband. Straps should suspend from the shell about 1-1¼ inches.
It is important to know that all safety helmets that adhere to ANSI/ISEA standards should be permanently marked with the manufacturer, the date of manufacture, ANSI designation, the Type and Class designation, and the head size range on the inside of the helmet shell.
If your current safety helmet label is missing or is no longer legible, it is recommended that you replace your safety helmet as soon as possible.
EN397: The European standard code of practice (EN 397) provides guidance for manufacturers of safety helmets to ensure that minimum material grades are used. It also establishes the requirements for the testing of safety helmets, as safety helmets must be designed to protect the wearer from falling objects. Such protections safeguard the user against possible consequences such as brain injuries or skull fractures. The standard also includes protection against lateral deformation of the helmet.
The helmet will comprise of two main parts &#; the hard outer protective shell and the inner harness. All helmets certified according to EN 397 must meet these requirements:
Additional specifications are provided for ear muff attachment points and chin strap attachment points.
EN: Standard covers insulating helmets aimed at use on low voltage installations, which must provide protection against electric shocks and prevention of dangerous electric current passing through the head. Requirements include:
EN: Standard covers high-performance industrial helmets, which must provide protection against falling objects and lateral impact along with the resulting damage to the brain, skull, and neck. Requirements include:
EN: Helmets for mountaineers must provide protection against hazards that may occur during activities undertaken by mountaineers. Requirements include:
Read more about EN's standards as they pertain to climbing-style safety helmets in the U.S. here.
The performance criteria for head protection in Canada is provided in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Industrial Protective Headwear, Z94.1 which applies to the selection, maintenance, and use of industrial safety helmets in the construction, mining, public utilities, and forestry sectors.
Along with optional tests, such as for reverse orientation, CSA Z94.1 requires six performance tests that must be met in order to assign a safety helmet type and class, which are:
Safety helmet types: The CSA Standard (Z94.1) tests for Type 1 and Type 2 safety helmets include dielectric strength, impact attenuation, penetration resistance, passive retention, shell flammability, and liner ignition resistance (typically only Type 2 for lateral impact).
Safety helmet classes: To improve comprehension and usefulness, the following designations refer to impact and penetration protection:
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is an agency under the Department of Labor that works to prevent illness, injury, and death by promoting safe work practices for U.S. miners.
Like OSHA, the agency&#;s regulatory authority is derived from a specific law, which the agency, in turn, enforces. MSHA carries out provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of , as well as administers the Mine Improvement and Emergency Response Act of , which further expanded requirements and sanctions for mines.
Mining safety helmet standards: Regarding protective clothing requirements, MSHA has its own PPE standard under 77., and Section (d) specifies the need for head protection from falling objects and to protect miners against electrical shock or burn.
Not all ANSI hard hats &#; or safety helmets &#; are created equal. Hard hats are being adapted into the more modern safety helmet that is designed for the ultimate safety head covering, putting an innovative spin on one of the most frequently used forms of PPE.
Up your protection with HexArmor®, and check out our safety helmet series, Ceros®. With innovation and design in mind, we&#;ve reinvented the protection that saves your best asset: your head.
Learn more about our safety helmet technology.
Are you using the right head safety equipment? Let us know if you need help or if you're ready to start a trial - our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1-877-MY ARMOR or send us a message.
Browse HexArmor's Ceros® safety helmets[Blog originally published on June 12, ]
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